Backlash Over Bikes In Rochester

Tensions over bike lanes have boiled over in Rochester, Minnesota where bikes and bike lanes have become a contentious issue in the City Council Elections. According to an MPR article, many people in the community are worried adding more bike lanes will result in slower traffic and fear that there will be fewer parking spaces available in an area where parking spaces are already scarce.

According to the article:

“There are people who will wait until I finish my spiel, and say ‘Do you ride a bike? And if you do, I will not vote for you,'” Patrick Keane, who is running for City Council, said.

“You would think that there are people in this city forcing people to get on bicycles when you hear how mad people are about this,” Keane said.”

Biking is great if you’re young, and don’t have a long commute, but focusing on bike lanes ignores the needs of the elderly and physically disabled. You could argue for more buses on the road to transport those who can’t bike, but then you’re advocating for them walking to a bus stop and waiting for the bus to come.

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Please join Center of the American Experiment on Wednesday, January 16th at the Hilton Hotel for a lunch forum with Center economist and author of the new report, “The State of Minnesota’s Economy: 2018,” John Phelan. Learn where Minnesota’s economy stands and where it is headed. John Phelan is a graduate of Birkbeck College, University of London, where he earned a BSc in Economics, and of the London School of Economics where he earned an MSc. John worked in finance for ten years before becoming a professional economist. At Capitol Economics in London, he wrote reports ranging from the impact of Brexit…